Peter, You will get out whatever you put in with just regular NUMBER type. Format like number(4,3) only controls/constraints the number you write into this column. You could use it, if you know in advance that you will never try to write bigger numbers, or with more significant digits, or you want to limit numbers written into the column to this format and get error message otherwise.
Igor Neyman, OCP DBA [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 11:48 AM > We have an mechanical CAD application where we will be storing > values like bolt diameter and hole sizes. As far as I know, > these numbers will not be used in any computations, but it is > important the the number retrieved be exactly what was put in. > For example, if they put in 0.086 the should not get out 0.08599). > > If I use a format like number(4,3), will this give me the result > that I want or should I use char(5)? > > thanks, > > Peter Schauss > Northrop Grumman Corporation > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > -- > Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com > -- > Author: Schauss, Peter > INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 > San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message > to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in > the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L > (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may > also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Igor Neyman INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).